Wilhelmina
Müller Dunbar
1936
-
Wilhelmina (Wil) Dunbar, contralto soloist, pianist, conductor, voice
and classroom teacher, and music administrator, has enjoyed a remarkable
career, associated primarily with Helderberg College,
the Seventh-day Adventist school in Somerset West, South Africa. She has also
composed several sacred works and written a number of articles for the church's
publications.
Wilhelmina was born and
raised in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, one of seven children born to Abe and
Tina Hurter Müller. Although both parents were very musical and all of the
children had musical talents, she is the only one who has pursued a music
career.
She started piano lessons
with Leslie le Butt at age five and eventually played piano and organ for
church services. At age fourteen, she began conducting the church choir in the
Adventist church in Port Elizabeth. She attended the Collegiate Girls' High
School in that city and then Helderberg College High
School.
During her years at the
college high school she sang under the direction of Frances L. Brown in the
newly established HC A Cappella Choir and participated in 1952 in one of its
historic tours in that country. Following graduation in 1953, she worked for
two years in Malawi as secretary to the president of what was then known as the
Southeast African Union Mission in Blantyre.
After her marriage in 1956 to
Ronald George Dunbar, she began serious study in both voice and piano and
obtained a Fellowship Licentiate in performance from Trinity College, London
(FTCL) and also one in piano teaching (LTCL). She then obtained licentiates in
both voice and piano from Royal Schools of Music, London (L.R.S.M.). These were
all completed with distinction by 1969. During this time she studied piano with
Doris Lardner and voice with Adelaide Armholdt, her
mentor.
Dunbar continued her music
study at the University of South Africa, where she completed a B.Mus. in 1973
and a B.Mus. Honours in Musicology in 1975. She
completed an M.Mus. at Andrews University in 1987,
maintaining a 4.00 GPA in all of her studies. She studied theory and
composition with Charles J. Hall, voice with James
Hanson, conducting with Zvonimir Hacko,
and organ with C. Warren Becker.
In 1964 Dunbar started
teaching at Hillcrest Primary School. five years
later, she was hired to teach at Helderberg and
conduct its A Cappella Choir, a position that she would hold, apart from
occasional leaves, until her retirement in 1995. She also served as director of
the music program and taught both voice and piano and highly praised classes in
church music and the fine arts.
Dunbar has performed
frequently, singing as a contralto soloist in numerous productions of the Messiah,
Elijah, and in works by J.S. Bach, Mozart, Schubert and others in noted
venues in primary cities in South Africa. She also has given a number of
recitals that featured a wide variety of lieder and art songs.
Continuing the tradition in
touring started by Brown in the 1950s, Dunbar toured annually with the choir,
starting in 1969. Both the choir and many of her students regularly achieved
highest honors in Cape Town and Stellenbosch Eistedddfodds.
Many of her students have
become professional musicians, four examples being Andrew Waugh, pianist;
Pierre van der Westhuzen and Manuel Escorcio, tenors; and Charles N'gandwe,
a bass from Zambia. Escorcio, now a nationally known
tenor and recording artist, conducted the male chorus at HC in 1972.
She has composed many sacred
songs, some of which have been recorded by Escorcio.
All of the songs on his popular CD titled God Loves Kids, also
translated into Afrikaans as God Het Kiders Lief, still in circulation, were written by her. She
has composed theme songs for camp meetings for a number of years; the one for 2011
is Holy Bible, Awesome Book.
Dunbar has also written a
number of articles for Adventist publications, including the Guide, Youths'
Instructor, Little Friend, and most recently, one titled "The
Invisible Piano" for Adventist World, the primary publication for
the church. In 1969 she penned a series of five articles, "Music - God's
Gift," for the Trans-Africa Division Outlook.
The Dunbars
have four children, Kevin, Trudy Mae (Holmes), Lyndon, and Robin, three of whom
have pursued music careers. Kevin is a performing organist and violinist who runs an instrument repair business in Cape Town. Trudy
completed a B.Mus. at Stellenbosch University, majoring in vocal training and
performance, piano teaching, and music education. She maintains a private
studio in Rustenburg. Lyndon is a sound engineer who owns a business, Sound
Generation, in Somerset West.
ds/2011
Source:
Biography Information sheet (February 2011) and 15 February 2011 email,
Wilhelmina Dunbar; Whilhelmina Dunbar, "The
Invisible Piano, " Adventist World - NAD, December 2010, 20,21;
Dunbar, "Music - God's Gift," Trans-African Division Outlook,
15 March, 15 April 1969; 15 June, 15 July, 15 August; Trans-African Division
Outlook, 15 August 1972, 4 and 15 December 1972, 5; 2003 Andrews University
Alumni Directory.
Music by Wilhelmina Müeller Dunbar
Wilhelmina (Wil)
Dunbar can be contacted at: ronwil@megasurfwifi.co.za
Choir
SSA
In
Him Alone I Trust
(a favorite with SSA choirs, but can also be sung as a Solo), a contemporary
song, in much demand locally (2011)
The
Carpenter (can
also be sung as a duet or trio), poetry by Corina Piercey
His Hands (can be sung as a solo with SSA on Chorus, or only SSA), poetry by Corina Piercey
Praise Him! (words "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing", by Charles Wesley)
Destination (can also be sung as a solo, a graduation song, words now public property, from IDEALS magazine)
Dare to Dream (can also be sung as a solo, a song for youth)
He is the Life (can also be sung as a solo or duet), poetry by Corina Piercey
Love
is Patient (can
also be sung as a solo, a wedding song), poetry by Corina
Piercey, based on 1 Corinthians 13)
Voice
Duets
All Hail, Lord Jesus! (can also be sung as a solo)
The Lord is my Light and Salvation (2-voice canon, scripture song)
To
God be the Glory
(arrangement of hymn by W.H. Doane) with piano
Real Happiness Is ... (a canon in Advent Youth Sings)
Thine Eyes Shall See the King (Isaiah 33:17, KJV, poetry by Corina Piercey)
Solos
Comfort in Your Love (a wedding song)
Eden, poetry by Corina Piercey
He Shall Create a New Heaven, poetry by Corina Piercey
Holy Bible, Awesom Book! (special theme song for 2011 Easter camp meeting in Gauteng, RSA)
How Do I Know?, poetry by Corina Piercey
Jesus had a Reason, poetry by Corina Piercey
Jesus, lovely Saviour!, poetry by Corina Piercey
In
Him alone I trust
(Solo or SSA) ...
Lucifer (song about his origin, scripture set in poetry by Corina Piercey)
Many Waters Cannot Quench Love (a wedding song)
Plan of Salvation (redemption & second coming), poetry by Corina Piercey
Prayer (a prayer for more love towards others)
The
Lord is Coming! (a dramatic song), poetry by Corina Piercey
Thank
You, Jesus
Up
Reach, Out Reach!
United in Christ, words by Corina Piercey.
Today is Ours (wedding song)
What sent my God from Heaven? (the love of Christ), poetry by Corina Piercey
Whatsoever Things are Lovely (Philippians 4:8, scripture and poetry by Corina Piercey); published in Advent Youth Sings.
Wonderful Thou Art! (Based on Psalms 119:73, Job 10:8; Luke 12:7, poetry by Corina Piercey)
Who am I?, poetry by Corina Piercey
God Loves Kids! is a CD of children's songs recorded by Manuel Escorcia. Dunbar wrote all of the songs, including the music and words for what has been a popular CD in South Africa, one reissued several times. Interested persons can obtain a copy by contacting her at: ronwil@megasurfwifi.co.za
Corina Piercey,
88, is a gifted poet and lifelong friend of the composer. Dunbar writes,
"I consider her the poet laureate of Adventists, although she has not
bothered to have much of her work published. Her words are profound and thought
provoking. Her poem "Born to Die" was
recently aired on HOPE TV in their Christmas poetry & music program."
Dunbar's poem, "Come Let us Sing," part of the children's songs
recorded by Escorcio, was also used by Hope TV.